The article reviews the innovative fusion of essential oils (EOs) with hydrogel engineering, highlighting recent advances in the design and application of hydrogels containing EOs. Hydrogels, which are 3D cross-linked networks of hydrophilic polymers, offer unique properties such as biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and controlled release of active substances. EOs, derived from aromatic plants, possess therapeutic potential due to their volatile and non-volatile chemical components. The review discusses various methods for obtaining and encapsulating EOs in hydrogels, including physical, chemical, and mechanical techniques. These encapsulation methods enhance the stability and biological activity of EOs, making them suitable for biomedical, dental, cosmetic, food, and cultural heritage applications.
In biomedical applications, hydrogel-embedded EOs are used for topical or transdermal delivery systems, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, wound dressing, chemotherapeutic agents, drug delivery carriers, and burn healing. Dental applications focus on the use of hydrogels with EOs for periodontal therapy. Cosmetics applications leverage the benefits of EOs in formulations for skin and hair care. Food applications include the use of hydrogel-based formulations with EOs for food packaging and preservation.
The review emphasizes the advantages and challenges of using EOs in hydrogels, such as volatility, solubility, environmental factors, and stability. It also highlights the importance of loading, stability, and biological activity of EOs in hydrogels. The article concludes by discussing the recent innovations, challenges, and future prospects of hydrogels encapsulated with essential oils, emphasizing their potential in multiple applications.The article reviews the innovative fusion of essential oils (EOs) with hydrogel engineering, highlighting recent advances in the design and application of hydrogels containing EOs. Hydrogels, which are 3D cross-linked networks of hydrophilic polymers, offer unique properties such as biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and controlled release of active substances. EOs, derived from aromatic plants, possess therapeutic potential due to their volatile and non-volatile chemical components. The review discusses various methods for obtaining and encapsulating EOs in hydrogels, including physical, chemical, and mechanical techniques. These encapsulation methods enhance the stability and biological activity of EOs, making them suitable for biomedical, dental, cosmetic, food, and cultural heritage applications.
In biomedical applications, hydrogel-embedded EOs are used for topical or transdermal delivery systems, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, wound dressing, chemotherapeutic agents, drug delivery carriers, and burn healing. Dental applications focus on the use of hydrogels with EOs for periodontal therapy. Cosmetics applications leverage the benefits of EOs in formulations for skin and hair care. Food applications include the use of hydrogel-based formulations with EOs for food packaging and preservation.
The review emphasizes the advantages and challenges of using EOs in hydrogels, such as volatility, solubility, environmental factors, and stability. It also highlights the importance of loading, stability, and biological activity of EOs in hydrogels. The article concludes by discussing the recent innovations, challenges, and future prospects of hydrogels encapsulated with essential oils, emphasizing their potential in multiple applications.